Manchester City interested in Antoine Griezmann

Manchester City have reportedly expressed interest in signing Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

The Frenchman was heavily linked with a switch to City’s bitter rivals Manchester United throughout 2017 and came close to a move last summer, only to pull out of the deal after the La Liga side’s ban on incoming transfers was upheld.

In recent weeks United are reported to have withdrawn their interest in Griezmann as a deal to bring in Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez – himself a target for City – edges closer to completion.

According to the Manchester Evening News, City manager Pep Guardiola has responded to his setback in signing Sanchez by switching attentions to Griezmann, who is available for a relatively-modest fee of £89m in the summer.

The newspaper claims that Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the 26-year-old and has already been promised funds to sign “a world-class striker” ahead of next season.

Atletico are said to be relaxed about the potential departure of Griezmann at the end of the season following their signing of Diego Costa from Chelsea this month.